EIGHT people were injured following a stampede at a concert staged by Nigerian singer, Ahmed Ololade popular known as Asake at the O2 Academy Brixton in London.
Four of the injured persons were said to be in a critical condition. Two more people who sustained minor injuries were treated at the scene.
The artist, whose London concert dates sold out within minutes when tickets went on sale in September, said he was praying for those injured amid claims that hundreds of people entered without tickets.
Asake had earlier this week, urged fans not to come to the 4,921-capacity venue without tickets for another concert on Sunday.
Police were called to the venue in south London at about 9.35pm on Thursday after reports that a large number of people were attempting to force entry. They found a number of people with “injuries believed to have been caused by crushing”.
One woman, who was taken to hospital with suspected internal bleeding, told the BBC: “I couldn’t breathe and I completely passed out. I thought I was dead. I took my last breath and I could not get any more oxygen. I was so scared.”
Another of those who witnessed the apparent crush to enter the venue said people were fainting in the queue. “Asake had been locked off, people fainting in the queue, people fighting and banging on doors,” she wrote on Twitter.
But the London Police yesterday said that three persons were in a critical condition while one person was arrested following a crowd crush at the Thursday night concert.
Asake, in his first response to the incident yesterday, said he was “praying” for the injured.
The crowd got out of control midway into the concert at the O2 Academy Brixton.
Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove told reporters yesterday that an “urgent investigation” was under way.
Read Also: Asake named Audiomack’s 2022 ‘Artiste of the Year’
The arrested person, according to him, was taken into custody on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
Besides, Wingrove said an incident in which an officer was “apparently seen to push a member of the public” was currently under review by the force’s director of professional standards.
The Metropolitan Police had said earlier that a total of eight people were taken to hospital after a crowd attempted to gain entry without tickets.
Asake in a statement on Instagram said: “My heart is with those who were injured last night and caused any form of discomfort. I pray you get well soonest.
“I am also in the process of reaching out to individuals.
“I still do not have the full brief from the venue management themselves as to what led to the disruption at the entrance of the Brixton Academy, but we are thankful that all was peaceful at the end.
“For my people who enjoyed the beginning of my performance, I am sorry that it was cut short.
“Thank you for your unbelievable love, London. I love you too much! I’m looking forward to seeing you again in a bit!”
Asake was recently nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023 award, for artists breaking through in the UK.